Patents Examined by David J. Steadman
  • Enhancement of biomass production by disruption of light energy dissipation pathways
    Patent number: 8940508
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing biomass or at least one biomolecule comprising culturing a photosynthetic microorganism that comprises a disrupted Non-Photochemical Quenching (NPQ) process, and isolating biomass or at least one biomolecule from the culture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventor: Graham Peers
  • Methods for using a thermostable phytase in ethanol production
    Patent number: 8936924
    Abstract: A method for using a thermostable phytase for eliminating or reducing phytic acid or salts of phytic acid in an alcohol production process is disclosed. The phytase can be added anywhere in the alcohol production process including a feedstock, a hammer mill, a slurry tank, a jet cooker, a liquefaction, a mash cooker, a fermentation, a beer, a distillation system, a whole stillage, a centrifuge, a thin stillage, an evaporator, a condensate, a syrup, a wet grain, a drum dryer, a distillers dried grain, distillers solubles, distillers wet grain, condensed distillers solubles distillers dried grains with solubles a molecular sieves, or any combination thereof. The alcohol production process can be in an ethanol production plant; a spirit or a drinkable alcohol production plant; or a fuel ethanol plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Verenium Corporation
    Inventors: Arne Solbak, Brian Steer, Mark Dycaico, Katie A. Kline, Axel Trefzer, Thomas Todaro, Fatima El-Farrah, Alberto Alvarado, Gerhard Frey
  • Nucleic acid encoding superoxide dismutase variants and methods of use thereof
    Patent number: 8926965
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides variant superoxide dismutase polypeptides, compositions comprising the polypeptides, and nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the polypeptides. The present disclosure provides methods of reducing oxidative damage in a cell, tissue, or organ. The present disclosure provides methods of identifying agents that increase superoxide dismutase activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Danica Chen, Xiaolei Qiu
  • Modified ubiquitin proteins having a specific binding activity for the extradomain B of fibronectin
    Patent number: 8921304
    Abstract: The present invention refers to novel hetero-multimeric proteins obtained from modified ubiquitin capable of binding the extradomain B of fibronectin (ED-B) with high affinity. Furthermore, the invention refers to fusion proteins comprising said recombinant protein fused to a pharmaceutically and/or diagnostically active component. The invention is further directed to the use of said proteins in medical treatment methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Scil Proteins GmbH
    Inventors: Arnd Steuernagel, Erik Fiedler, Markus Fiedler, Anja Kunert, Joerg Nerkamp, Thomas Goettler, Manja Gloser, Ilka Haenssgen
  • Method for crystallizing strain T1 polypeptide
    Patent number: 8920558
    Abstract: A method for crystallizing a Geobacillus strain T1 polypeptide under gravity or microgravity conditions is provided. A purified protein to be crystallized is provided, the purified protein being either thermostable T1 lipase or thermostable F16L lipase. A protein solution is prepared, comprising the purified protein, a buffer solution having a working pH of at least 8.5, and between 3-5% glycerol. A reservoir solution is prepared, comprising 0.1M MES, 0.1M NaH2PO4, 0.1M KH2PO4, and 1 M NaCl, and having a working pH of 6.5 or 6.6. The protein and reservoir solutions are combined to obtain a protein droplet, and protein crystals are obtained from the protein droplet by hanging-drop vapor diffusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Universiti Putra Malaysia
    Inventors: Raja Noor Zaliha Raja. Abd. Rahman, Abu Bakar Salleh, Mahiran Basri, Adam Leow Thean Chor
  • Fusion protein comprising small heat shock protein, cage protein formed thereby, and novel use thereof
    Patent number: 8916685
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fusion protein comprising small heat shock protein, a cage protein formed thereby, and novel use thereof, more particularly, a fusion protein comprising a small heat shock protein, a recognition site of a protease, and a histidine polymer, wherein the recognition site and the histidine polymer are sequentially linked to a carboxyl terminal of the small heat shock protein, a cage protein formed thereby, and novel use thereof. The fusion protein of the present invention, and a cage protein formed by the self-assembly properties of the fusion protein are not cytotoxic, and emits a fluorescence signal of about 20 to about 50 times higher comparing to a single peptide for the conventional molecular imaging, per unit protein. Additionally, cell permeability is very excellent, thereby to be effectively used as a biosensor or a bioactive material carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Hyung-Jun Ahn, Ick-Chan Kwon, Kul-Won Choi
  • Multi-cellulase enzyme compositions for hydrolysis of cellulosic biomass
    Patent number: 8916366
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-cellulase enzyme composition for the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulosic biomass said composition comprising a cellobiohydrolase (CBH) enzyme, an endoglucanase (EG) enzyme and a ?-glucosidase (BG) enzyme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Codexis, Inc.
    Inventors: Kripa Rao, Ish Dhawan, Sally Postlethwaite, Jie Yang
  • Preventing and treating sepsis
    Patent number: 8916149
    Abstract: Provided are polypeptides comprising a variant activated protein C comprising one or more amino acid substitutions selected from the group consisting of K146R, D172N, C212R, K146G, R147G, R177G and combinations thereof. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides, and cells, compositions and kits containing the polypeptides and nucleic acids. Also provided are methods of treating sepsis in a subject comprising administering to the subject one or more of the provided polypeptides or nucleic acids. Methods of screening for polypeptides with enhanced activated protein C and for an agent for treatment of sepsis are provided. Finally, provided is a method of treating sepsis in a subject comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more RGD-containing peptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: University of Rochester
    Inventor: Minsoo Kim
  • Conversion of cellulosic materials into glucose for use in bioethanol production
    Patent number: 8895275
    Abstract: A method for producing an aqueous sugar solution from cellulosic materials comprising the steps of heating ground cellulosic materials with perchloric acid; neutralizing the heated materials with an alkali to yield a salt precipitate; and filtering the salt precipitate off to obtain the aqueous sugar solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Universiti Malaya
    Inventors: Zainudin Bin Arifin, Teow Chong Teoh
  • Method for producing ?-Phenylalanine
    Patent number: 8895270
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a ?-amino acid comprising a step of synthesizing a ?-amino acid from an ?-amino acid in the presence of an amino acid aminomutase. In this method, a ?-amino acid is precipitated as a solid in the reaction solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Tomonori Hidesaki
  • Methods and compositions for modification of the locus
    Patent number: 8895264
    Abstract: Nucleases and methods of using these nucleases for modification of an HPRT locus and for increasing the frequency of gene modification at a targeted locus and clones and for generating animals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignees: Sangamo BioSciences, Inc., The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Gregory J. Cost, Michael C. Holmes, Noriyuki Kasahara, Josee Laganiere, Jeffrey C. Miller, David Paschon, Edward J. Rebar, Fyodor Urnov, Lei Zhang
  • Method of producing dicer
    Patent number: 8852911
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for producing a Dicer polypeptide in a prokaryotic host cell. The present disclosure further provides a purified Dicer complex. The present disclosure further provides kits for producing a Dicer polypeptide in a prokaryotic host cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jennifer A. Doudna, Enbo Ma
  • Endolysin OBPgpLYS
    Patent number: 8846865
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide with an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 and fragments or derivatives thereof. The present invention further relates to fusion proteins comprising said polypeptide and an additional peptide stretch fused to said polypeptide at the N- or C-terminus. Moreover, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding said polypeptide or fusion protein, vectors comprising said nucleic acid molecules and host cells comprising either said nucleic acid molecules or said vectors. In addition, the present invention relates to said polypeptide or fusion protein for use as a medicament, in particular for the treatment or prevention of Gram-negative bacterial infections, as diagnostic means, as cosmetic substance or as sanitizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Lysando AG, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, K.U. Leuven R&D
    Inventors: Yves Briers, Rob Lavigne, Maarten Walmagh, Stefan Miller
  • Crystal form of the amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain (AICD) in complex with human FE65-PTB2
    Patent number: 8841415
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional structure of the intracellular domain (AICD) of human amyloid precursor protein (APP695) in complex with human Fe65-PTB2 (i.e. a protein-complex comprising the intracellular domain (AICD) of human amyloid precursor protein (APP695) and the human Fe65-PTB2), as well as to methods and uses of said three-dimensional structure for identifying ligands which modify the interaction between the AICD and the Fe65-PTB2. Moreover, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions which contain one or more of such identified ligands for the prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Universität Heidelberg
    Inventors: Klemens Wild, Jens Radzimanowski, Irmgard Sinning, Konrad Beyreuther
  • Cyanochrome fluorophores
    Patent number: 8822162
    Abstract: Genetically-engineered cyanochrome fluorophore molecules (fluorophores) with increased fluorescence and with absorbing fluorescence in the blue and green (blue/green) portion of the light spectrum are provided. These fluorophores are derived from the domains of phytochromes, and in particular cyanobacterial phytochromes. Methods for generating these fluorophores and various applications of these fluorophores are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Andrew T. Ulijasz, Richard D. Vierstra
  • Methods for screening for inhibitors of tau phosphorylation by casein kinase I
    Patent number: 8822171
    Abstract: Methods for screening for substances capable of modulating the phosphorylation of tau protein are disclosed, and in particular paired helical filament (PHF) tau, and the use of such modulators in the treatment of tauopathies. The assays and screening methods are based on the identification of new phosphorylation sites in PHF tau and new kinases and combinations of kinases as therapeutic targets, in particular the identification of casein kinase 1 as a kinase which phosphorylates tau protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventors: Brian Anderton, Diane Hanger, Malcolm Ward, Helen Byers
  • Metal compounds to eliminate nonproductive enzyme adsorption and enhance enzymatic saccharification of lignocellulose
    Patent number: 8815561
    Abstract: Methods and composition for biofuel processing are provided. For example, in certain aspects methods for using metal compounds to enhance cellulose enzymatic hydrolysis are described. Furthermore, the invention provides integrated processes with fewer lignin removal steps to improve efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Hao Liu, Junyoug Zhu
  • Enhanced amylase production by N-terminal addition to mature amylase protein
    Patent number: 8809031
    Abstract: A method of making a Bacillus alpha-amylase variant that increases alpha-amylase production and the alpha-amylases produced thereby. The recombinant alpha-amylases can be placed in compositions and used for purposes of laundry detergents, cleaning and dishwashing detergents, fabric desizing, starch liquefaction, cereal liquefaction, starch saccharification, biofilm removal, and starch hydrolysis in cane sugar processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Danisco US Inc.
    Inventors: George England, Marc Kolkman, Casper Vroemen
  • Algal elongases
    Patent number: 8809046
    Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary isolated nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides having elongase activity, which utilize fatty acids as substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Kilian, Bertrand Vick
  • Meganuclease reagents of uses thereof for treating genetic diseases caused by frame shift/non sense mutations
    Patent number: 8802437
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to treat a genetic disease in an individual caused by at least one frame shift or at least one non sense mutation in the human dystrophin gene comprising at least the step of bringing into contact at least one meganuclease enzyme, which recognizes and cuts a target site in the human dystrophin gene, with the genome of said individual under conditions wherein said at least one meganuclease recognizes and cleaves its target site in the human dystrophin gene. Said method applies also to a set of meganuclease enzymes, which each recognizes and cuts a different target site. The present invention also relates to a kit comprising, at least one meganuclease enzyme as defined above and medicament comprising said meganuclease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Cellectis
    Inventors: Jacques Tremblay, Frederic Cedrone